The Premier League returns this weekend after an action packed summer full of World Cup drama and ridiculously inflated transfers.
All the Premier League clubs have done business in the transfer market in anticipation of the new campaign, but the high hopes of every club could well be ruined within the first few months of the season. Just a couple of bad results in the opening weeks can often lead to disharmony in both the dressing room and the boardroom, all too often resulting in even more managerial casualties.
However, a big factor in keeping the hopes alive will be each club’s star player – the one man who is relied upon to drag his team out of the mud and have that inspiring impression on his team-mates and the supporters.
Here are few players who can lead their side to success.
Alexis Sanchez
Arsenal’s Alexis Sanchez is more than capable of scoring goals and will give the Gunners the penetration they were craving in Walcott’s absence. The Chilean’s pace will scare defenders and he also offers an alternative to Olivier Giroud leading the line.
The injuries Theo Walcott suffered last season robbed Arsenal of a different option up front and was one of the primary reasons that their title challenge faltered.
Walcott is due back soon, but for insurance purposes Arsene Wenger has pulled off a massive coup in signing Alexis Sanchez from Barcelona.
Diego Costa
Chelsea have finally found the man that can fire them to the title. Diego Costa is the striker that Chelsea have been crying out for. Only now in small doses will Chelsea fans have to suffer watching Fernando Torres try to lead their line, because for the rest of the time this talented goal scorer will be petrifying defences.
The Brazilian-turned-Spaniard is everything Jose Mourinho wanted – he is strong, is great on the floor and in the air, he brings other players into the game and he works his socks off.
Romelu Lukaku
It’s not very often you see Everton really go for it in the transfer market, but that’s what they have done this summer after securing the £28m deal to keep Romelu Lukaku permanently.
Roberto Martinez now has a potentially top class striker to call his own and if the Belgian keeps improving season on season the Toffees could be achieving Champions League qualification before they know it.
Lukaku is a proven goal scorer and now Everton don’t have to concern themselves about his future. He is set to lead the line for several years to come.
Daniel Sturridge
Now that Luis Suarez has left Anfield, Liverpool look set for a change in their system after only buying Rickie Lambert to replace him.
The Reds will now rely on Daniel Sturridge to get the goals that Suarez bagged for fun, while he will be supported by the likes of Phillippe Coutinho, Adam Lallana and Raheem Sterling behind him.
Sturridge has big shoes to fill, but has proven he is a top Premier League striker. Now that Suarez is no more, the England forward is the club’s main man.
Vincent Kompany
It’s often been clearly noticeable how different Manchester City are as a team when their club captain isn’t playing.
The Premier League champions have attempted to remedy this by completing the £32m signing of Eliaqium Mangala recently, but with the Frenchman still unproven in the Premier League it will be important for Vincent Kompany to stay fit and available.
He is crucial to the stability of the side and chips in with some vital goals too, but if he can forge an understanding with Mangala sooner rather than later, City will be much better off.
Juan Mata
Manchester United’s current record signing is set to get his chance to play in the role he most enjoys this season – sitting just behind the strikers.
Being the advanced playmaker in a team is what Mata loves and with Louis van Gaal building a side to match their current strengths, Mata has promised that he will flourish this season.
Expect more goals, more assists and more link up play with the likes of Wayne Rooney and Robin van Persie in the coming months, as United look to get their title back.
Loic Remy
It’s always the same for any club in the Premier League that has just been promoted from the Championship – they need a goal scorer.
In Loic Remy, Queens Park Rangers, still have one. The collapse of his move to Liverpool could be the best thing that happens to the Championship playoff winners this summer.
Bojan Krkic
Stoke City certainly raised a few eyebrows this summer with the capture of Bojan Krkic from Barcelona.
The Spanish forward cost a mere £3m, which could end up as the biggest bargain in the club’s history if he is to go on to fulfill his potential at the Britannia.
Bojan was once considered as highly rated as a young Lionel Messi – but his career has faltered in the last few years. If Mark Hughes can start to get the best out of him Stoke could conceivably be challenging for a top half finish.
Kevin Nolan
West Ham United boss, Sam Allardyce, has brought in several new faces this summer to see his side look more dangerous in attack, but new signings bring uncertainty.
Because of this, he will likely be reliant on club captain Kevin Nolan to perform for the Hammers once more this season.
The former Bolton and Newcastle man scored seven goals and made seven assists in the Premier League last season and is the type of player to always be in the penalty area at the right time anticipating a chance.
With Andy Carroll out for several months, Nolan will be even more responsible for driving his side forward.
Anthony Nlebem
